Category Archives: Ancient History

Review: Roman Conquests: Britain by Simon Elliott

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Derek Birks

I am very honoured to man the last marching fort of Simon Elliott’s Roman Conquest Blog Tour. The story of Rome’s conquest – and apparently endless re-conquest – of Britain is a long and complex one that lasted for around … Continue reading →

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Review: Roman Britain’s MISSING LEGION – Simon Elliott

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Derek Birks

It seems like I’ve always been aware of the legion that disappeared – the Legio IX Hispana – but it is many years since I last read about it and I was therefore delighted to be offered the chance to … Continue reading →

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Authors Without Borders – Free Historical Fiction for those Staying At Home

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Derek Birks

Authors Without Borders is a group of fabulous historical fiction authors, including: Ben Kane, Simon James Atkinson Turney, Ruth Downie, Douglas Jackson, Christian G. Cameron, Simon Scarrow, Gordon Doherty LJ Trafford, Alex Gough, Sam Taw – and me. Our aim is to write stories … Continue reading →

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Lady of the Eternal City by Kate Quinn – a Review

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Derek Birks

There are so many excellent writers around today that I’m never surprised when I discover another one. I was unfamiliar with Kate’s work until I read the fabulous A Day of Fire – a Novel of Pompeii. I loved her … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Book Reviews, Historical Fiction, History, Reviews | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Book Review: A DAY OF FIRE – A Novel of Pompeii

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Derek Birks

A DAY OF FIRE A Novel of Pompeii by Stephanie Dray, Ben Kane, E Knight, Sophie Perinot, Kate Quinn & Vicky Alvear Shecter Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the … Continue reading →

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Dark Ages? What Dark Ages?

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Derek Birks

I’m guest posting today over on the English Historical Fiction Authors’ Blog at http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/the-dark-ages-what-dark-ages.html

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Celts, Saxons and DNA – Wow!

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Derek Birks

The appliance of science to archaeology is having a significant effect on our interpretation of existing historical evidence and one of the most dramatic areas of exploration is in the origins of the people that live on these islands. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Ancient History, Historical Fiction, History, Medieval History | 1 Comment